Packers could benefit right away from latest coaching update that opens the door for real improvement
Bill Callahan has been in the NFL since 1995, and his experience as an offensive line guru could be huge for the Packers to develop their youngster upfront.
The Green Bay Packers have lost some impactful coaching minds over the past few years. While that’s evidence of the coaching staff’s good work, it’s always challenging for head coach Matt LaFleur to replace those impactful pieces.
When the staff lost offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, LaFleur had to promote offensive line coach Adam Stenavich to offensive coordinator, and assistant OL coach Luke Butkus moved to Stenavich’s old spot. Not that Steno and Butkus are not good at their current positions, but it’s hard to adapt to higher positions and keep the same level.
And a recent NFL development could help the Packers improve their offensive line performance right away. On Monday, the Tennessee Titans fired head coach Brian Callahan, and a ripple effect was that his dad, veteran offensive line coach Bill Callahan, decided to leave the team as well.
Analyst role would be smart
Bill Callahan is a 69-year-old coach who has worked in the NFL since 1995, outside of four seasons he spent as a head coach at Nebraska. He’s been a head coach, assistant head coach, offensive line coach, tight ends coach, and offensive coordinator for several teams: Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Washington, Cleveland Browns, and Titans.
He was the Raiders’ head coach for two seasons (2002-2003), but his calling card is the offensive line.
While Callahan has never worked directly with LaFleur, the veteran coached the offensive line under Sean McVay in Washington for two seasons. That means he has a complete understanding of the system’s basics, even though LaFleur has run an adjusted version of that scheme.
Offensive staff
Right now, Stenavich is the offensive coordinator and has some run-game coordination responsibilities. Luke Butkus is the offensive line coach, and Eddie Gordon is his assistant. While the Packers do have a senior offensive assistant in Luke Getsy, he works more closely with quarterbacks and receivers.
Nathaniel Hackett is also back on the staff this year, but he’s working on the other side of the ball as a defensive analyst.
With that combination, it would certainly make sense to make an in-season addition and hire Callahan, even if it’s as a part-time contributor.
His experience and knowledge of offensive line development would be key for the Packers, especially with young, highly touted prospects in the group — Jordan Morgan and Anthony Belton immediately come to mind.
LaFleur has been open to adding coaches during the season — he did exactly that last year when the Packers hired Robert Saleh as an offensive analyst after he was fired by the New York Jets. And that would be the perfect opportunity to add a high-level coach to an area that could clearly use more help on the staff.
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